American promoter given green light to host tour...

American promoter given green light to host tournament in Harare

May be an image of 1 person — Edward Mendy

Zim Now Writer

A United States based boxing promotions and production company, Lion Heart, has been issued with a licence to host an international tournament in Harare on April 15.

It will be a black tie and African garb event whose venue, though yet to be confirmed, is likely to be the National Gallery of Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe National Boxing and Wrestling Control Board chief executive officer, Lawrence Zimbudzana, in a correspondence in possession of Zimbabwe Now, wrote to Lion Heart:

“The board reviewed your international promoter’s and tournament sanctioning applications and I am pleased to inform you that you have been granted a promoter’s licence for 2023 and approval for hosting of the AfriFite international boxing tournament in April 2023. May you therefore kindly submit top the board your hosting plan for the planned boxing tournament.”

The Chief Finance Officer of Lion Heart which is based in Kinnelon, New Jersey, Edward Mendy, said the event will be held under the AfriFite Genesis series which will hopefully be a regular feature on the domestic boxing calendar.

Christopher Lovejoy will headline the drawcard that will feature a host of Zimbabwean boxers also yet to be selected.

Mendy indicated his company was also in talks with Namibian legend Harry “The Terminator” Simon so he, too, can take part in an exhibition bout. Simon has previous been to Harare where he showed great interest in coming out of retirement to have another dance, in the ring, albeit in an exhibition, by fighting the likes of Dingaan “The Rose of Soweto” Thobela. The plans, then, unfortunately failed to take off.

Zimbabwe last had a professional boxing tournament in October when Kudakwashe “Take Money” Chiwandire successfully defended her stripes against Mexican Zulina Munoz.